Day trip from Nice

The answer to that question depends on knowing the travel times and this link shows you how to estimate those http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/28278/bhelp-with-your-itinerary-questionsb.html.Having a reasonable idea of the total travel time in your day is the only way to actually have an idea of how much time you'll actually have, on the ground in each of those locations, to do and see what you're going all that way to do and see.

Thanks Kent. I did know it was about a four hour trip each way. I just wonder if anyone has done this - leave early in the morning and return late at night - and if it is worth it?

"and if it is worth it?"I hope this helps. We're asked the "is it worth it?" question frequently on this forum--it's an understandable question but most of us here (at least those who spend more than 3 seconds thinking about an answer, which is most of us here) don't know how to answer this question because (at the risk of pointing out the obvious) whether something is worth it to you is so subjective, and depends so much on information we don't have about your personal preferences, your alternatives on those days if you don't do the day trips, what you like and don't like, your physical condition, your tolerance for seeing a lot of the inside of trains and train stations, whether you think you'll return, etc, etc.Re the tedious details of travel times: Does your 4 hrs each way include an allowance for getting from your hotel in Nice to the Nice station, buying ticket, waiting for train, then station to station time, getting off train at Avignon, getting from the Avignon TGV station into the historic center of Avignon (the faster train times on TGV get you only to the Avignon TGV station, which is a ways from the historic center; then at end of day repeating this by getting back to Avignon TGV station, waiting for train, then station to station time back to Nice; and then getting from Nice station back to your hotel? I know this is a tedious way to think of it, but really, only by thinking in this way do you get an accurate idea of what your day trip will really be like, how much time you would actually have to do and see the things you want to see at Avignon and at Aix. You can make a better decision and have a better chance of getting the trip you want, if you know before you go. I hope this helps.

Hi Shari,
There is so much to do in the Nice, in my opinion, I don't think it is worth 8 hours of travel (to an from) to do. I would much rather rent a car for a day and go see the Grasse area or take a quick train ride or bus to Antibes or Ville Franch-sur-Mer. Even a train to Cassis or even to an Italian beach town. I like the idea of using a base like you are doing. The key is not wander too far. Have fun!